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Variables and Expressions

A variable is a letter or symbol. It represents an unknown amount that can change.

You can do mathematical operations with variables and numbers.

You can state these operations in word expressions. You can also state them in algebraic expressions.

Operation � � � �

Word expression the sum of r and 3

the difference between r and 3

the product of r and 3

r divided by 3

Algebraic expression r � 3 r � 3 3r r � 3

Other ways of saying the word

expression

3 added to r3 more than r

3 subtracted from r3 less than r

r multiplied by 33 times r

r separated into 3 equal parts

Complete the algebraic expression for each of the following word expressions.

Circle the letter of the correct word expression for each algebraic expression.

7. t � 13 a. 13 subtracted from t b. t subtracted from 13

8. 4n a. 4 more than n b. 4 times n

9. 11 � s a. 11 more than s b. 11 less than s

10. 45a a. the product of a and 45 b. 45 more than a

11. y � 6 a. y less 6 b. 6 equal parts of y

12. v � 5 a. 5 less than v b. v subtracted from 5

1. the sum of b and 8

b ____ 8

4. 7 less than z

z ____ 7

2. the difference between m and 6

m ____ 6

5. 2 more than d

d ____ 2

3. the quotient of k and 16

k ____ 16

6. j divided by 4

j ____ 4

Reteaching

8-8

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Variables and ExpressionsFor questions 1 through 4, use a variable to write an algebraic expression that represents the word phrase.

1. a number of apples divided into 12 baskets

2. 5 more than s

3. three times the cost for one hat

4. nine fewer than the total number of people

For 5 through 7, translate each algebraic expression into words.

5. 3 � w

6. 8x

7. 40 � p

8. Write two different word phrases for the expression t __ 30 .

9. Do 5 � x and x � 5 represent the same expression? Explain.

10. Dan is 12 in. taller than Jay. Use x for Jay’s height. Which expression shows Dan’s height?

A x � 12 B x � 12 C 12 x D x ___ 12

11. Explain what the expression 6x means.

Practice

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